Respected schizophrenia researcher Anissa Abi-Dagham, M.D. is Director of Clinical and Imaging Research in the Lieber Center for Schizophrenia Research.

Allie Burke is VP of Operations at Stigma Fighters.

In this episode, Dr. Abi-Dagham talks to Ms. Burke about her journey as a person diagnosed with schizophrenia, how her family and friends have reacted as well as the stigma she has encountered. She has learned lessons along the way. One such lesson is that there is a light at the end of the tunnel. Despite having a mental illness, she has a full-time job and leads a fulfilling life. Her take-away from this talk? It's OK to reach out for help.

For information about schizophrenia research at Columbia Psychiatry, please go to http://columbiapsychiatry.org/researchclinics/lieber-schizophrenia-research-clinic or call 646 774-8726

Scott Strange, a 2014 MedicineX ePatient Scholar, 2-14 Medicine X Honor Roll member and 2015 MedicineX ePatient Delegate, has been a Type 1 diabetic since 1970 and clinically depressed for almost as long. He is especially interested in removing the stigma associated with so many health issues and with whole person health in particular. He blogs at Strangely Diabetic and you can find him on twitter as @strangely_t1.

Stigma Fighters is an organization dedicated to spreading awareness about mental health issues in high schools and colleges around the United States. It began as a blog series where people shared 1000 word essays about living with a variety of mental illnesses. The organization was founded by Psychology Today and Huffington Post Blogger, Sarah Fader. The basis of the program focuses on the invaluable benefits of sharing one’s story. Now, Stigma Fighters is coming off the Internet and into high schools and colleges. Stigma Fighters chapters are being established throughout the United States, beginning with the New York metropolitan area.The organization seeks to empower student’s voices and allow them the opportunity to share their stories with confidence and without fear of being judged.

For further information or to bring Stigma Fighters to your educational community for speaking events and student involvement contact Sarah Fader, founder at (917) 699-9578 Email: sarahfader@gmail.com

On this edition of Who We Got Wednesday, we discuss Women as Leaders, Church Discrimination and Education with Pastor Karen Wilson on Who We Got Wednesday!

Pastor Wilson considers herself "trained in the School of Hard Knocks, under the instruction of the Holy Spirit of the living God."

Born in Boston Massachusetts and raised in Washington DC, Pastor Karen Wilson put her Bachelor of Science Degree in Education to work as she taught in the Virginia Beach Public School System for 29 years.

Pastor Wilson was licensed to preach in 1997 and ordained in 2000. Shortly thereafter she assumed pastorship of Temple of Peace in Newport News, VA.

Jesse Interviews Tom Roberts - a speaker that focuses on Mental Illness Stigmas and his journey through his own Bi-Polar disorder. Tom received a M.A. in Radio-TV-Film, was a Ph.D cadidate in Theatre Arts, worked as a TV News Co-Anchor and Radio News Director, served as an Associate Professor of Broadcasting, was a Technical Writer as well as instructed in Technical Writing, worked as a professional Actor (Screen Actors Guild) and was a Voice-Over Artist. He eventually experienced Cognitive Impairment as a result of Bi-Polar Disorder leaving him unable to work in his trained industry. Tom now speaks to groups about this disorder in hopes of keeping people from suicide due to being afraid of the stigma of their disorder; as happened with his brother and sister. We will be discussing the importance of handling stigmas and facing disorders. You can learn more about Tom's work at: www.tomspeaksout.com

The genus name Cypripedium is derived from the Greek words "Cypris" an early reference in Greek myth to Aphrodite, and “pedilon” for sandal. Ladies Slipper Orchids These beautiful orchids are a favorite among orchid keepers.This is because the fused petals that form the orchid’s pouch or modified lip (labellum) resemble a slipper or shoe. The staminode (sterile stamen) is often showy and seems to welcome the insect into the pouch where it makes its way to a back-door exit and in so doing transfers pollen to the stigma.

On Friday July 31st at 8pm est,7pm cst and 5pm pst. If you would like to join the conversation visit our chat room on our web page or call in to our studio number 1 -949-534-0637.

Los Angeles, CA – Have you felt stuck, wanting to shift out of unhealthy or self-defeating patterns into a more expanded life? Have you felt destined to achieve something great but don't know where to start? Are ready to make a change?

Lisa Tahir is a Counselor, Coach, Life Change Expert and founder of Nola Therapy, a New Orleans-originated therapy and coaching practice that has opened an office to serve the greater Los Angeles area. With more than 17 years of experience in the field of psychotherapy and social work, Lisa has helped thousands of individuals heal and they now live richer, fuller and healthier lives.

“I want to get the message out to promote emotional well-being and happiness to more people,” says Lisa. “I really love to listen and hear people’s stories. I intuitively understand what people have been through, where they’ve been and where they want to go.”

Lisa is also the author of the recently published SURRENDER: A Psycho-Spiritual Healing Guide For Depression And Anxiety. The book serves as an autobiography of her struggle and details a two-step visualization technique for coping with depression and anxiety.

"I am what happens when an everyday person becomes divinely inspired. I've chosen to re-create what life gave me and Surrender, A Psycho-Spiritual Healing Guide For Treating Anxiety and Depression was birthed out of the trauma of being drugged and robbed in November of 2014,” says Lisa. “Using these techniques gave me the strength to feel better and handle the trauma one piece at a time. It was a struggle and I wanted to be vulnerable and share my story to help others know they are not alone and they can move through this."

Mental health problems are a very sensitive topic in the black community mainly because of the stigma that mental illness is a result of an individual being weak. According to a report done by blackwomenshealth.com, in 2011 the depression rate among black women was estimated to be 50% higher than that of white women. With media reporting murders of women such as Sandra Bland how are we to expect the rate to be anything but dismal? But all is not lost and there is hope - Lisa Y. Sparrow.

Lisa is a divorced mom of 2 children who lives in Columbus, Ohio. She has bounced between foster homes and mental hospitals while growing up. During her early adult years she suffered multiple miscarriages and spent many moments, like many of us, feeling unloved and unwanted. Lisa used her experiences as a springboard to grow in her faith and to encourage and uplift herself. By doing so she encourages not only her children but everyone she encounters and shares her story of empowerment with. And share she does in her autobiography - His Eye is on the Sparrow.

Join me as I sit down with Lisa as we discuss how she found the courage to become bigger than her circumstances. See ya soon, Why Yet

NEXT TIME ON UNDER THE MAT RADIO: “Killing Unicorns” WE WILL HAVE FORMER EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT OF WCW/FORMER RAW GENERAL MANAGER/ FORMER EXECUTIVE PRODUCER OF TNA IMPACT/ NEW YORK TIME BEST SELLING AUTHOR AND ENTREPRENEUR ERIC BISCHOFF. WE WILL DISCUSS HIS RISE IN THE RANKS OF WCW, THE MONDAY NIGHT WARS, ALMOST DEFEATING VINCE MCMAHON, KARATE, HIS LOVE FOR BLACK CLOTHES AND MUCH MORE. RANDOM NEWS AND SHOUTOUTS WILL BE MENTIONED AS WELL. TUESDAY JULY 28, 2015, 2015 LIVE 7PM-9PM (EST) LISTEN ON http://www.blogtalkradio.com/underthematradio (or click on the link below). ALSO LISTEN ON YOUR MOBILE DEVICE (ANDROID, IPHONE) CALL IN AT (347) 677-1862 PRESS 1

Tonight, The Power Zone with DU welcomes Brenden Ortiz, Motivational Speaker, Activist for HIV/AIDS and Author of the bestselling novel “The Pretty Boy with the House In Virginia”. Mr. Ortiz joins host, Darlene A. Anderson of Darlene’s Utopia and Author of Not Without A Fight: 10 Ways To Win When it Appears You’ve Already Lost, to discuss his journey from hopeless to hopeful, and how he is educating and inspiring others to do the same.

Brenden Ortiz is a twenty-five year old Homosexual Male and Native of Brooklyn, New York. He passionately speaks out on HIV/AIDS and its Stigma because he too is HIV POSITIVE. He shares with inner city youth the period in his life in which he considered to be stages of total darkness; at the age of 16, he experienced the tragic death of both his mother and father, which led to him to becoming internally numb, exploring the world recklessly with no care, and contracting the HIV virus in 2010.

“The Pretty Boy with the House In Virginia”, chronicles Brenden's journey from hopeless to hopeful. Brenden is dedicated to utilizing his testimony to promote awareness and actions of prevention. Having established “What Does HIV Look Like”, a NY based Non-profit and preparing to educate the masses on not just the diagnosis, but the stigmas that are attached to it…it is clear that he is on a mission of purpose!